New restrictions to how much time children under the age of 18 can spend using electronic devices came into being on Friday, when an amendment to a child rights protection act cleared the floor of the legislature.
The revision to the Protection of Children and Youths Welfare and Rights Act (兒童及少年福利與權益保障法) expands existing regulations that ban underage smoking, drinking and betel nut and drug use to cover the use of electronic devices.
The new regulation stipulates that minors “may not constantly use electronic products for a period of time that is not reasonable,” according to the amendment.
Parents, legal guardians or those caring for youths can be fined up to NT$50,000 if they are found to have allowed children in their care to use electronic devices to an extent that causes them to become ill, either physically or mentally, the amendment said.
However, the new regulation fails to define what timeframe legislators deem to be “reasonable.”
The revision was proposed by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), who said the new regulation is aimed at protecting the young from “indulging in electronic entertainment for long periods of time.”
However, Lu’s proposal sparked immediate debate on the definition of “a long period of time” during a preliminary legislative review.
According to Chang Hsiu-yuan (張秀鴛), director of the Department of Protective Services at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, 30 minutes could be a “reasonable” period of time for children above the age of two to use electronic devices, while it is recommended that children under that age not use any electronic devices.
The ministry will discuss with local governments a more definitive timeframe and how to enforce the new regulation based on the Health Promotion Administration’s advice, Social and Family Affairs Administration Division head Wu Hui-chun (吳惠君) said.
Another revision to the act that received legislative approval stipulates a four to 50 hour parent education program as punishment for parents, legal guardians or those caring for children who fail to prevent their charges from using drugs or entering adult clubs, as well as if they are found to have abandoned or abused children physically or mentally, forced a minor to beg for money or left children under six years of age or children that require special unattended.
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